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Tram system could run through West Leeds as Mayor sets out proposals

Plans for a £2 billion tram system running through parts of West Leeds to connect Leeds and Bradford have been set out today. 

The proposals were published today ahead of the final Combined Authority meeting ahead of May’s Mayoral election of West Yorkshire’s leaders next week (March 14). It will see them agree a major step forward for the mass transit scheme. It is hoped that spades will be in the ground in 2028 when construction of the early stage of the project will begin.   

Phase one would include two lines serving Leeds, The Leeds Line and the Bradford Line. The Leeds Line would take people between St James’ Hospital, through Leeds city centre and on to Elland Road and the White Rose Shopping Centre.  

The Bradford Line would run from Leeds city centre to Bradford city centre and cut through West Leeds. No details of the exact route the line will take through West Leeds have been revealed but WYCA has confirmed it will also link Bradford Forster Square station with the new Bradford rail station.

A report to be considered by councillors next week says potential routes for both lines will be revealed in a public consultation this summer. The first phase of the new tram system is likely to be a £2bn+ investment, the report adds.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “Today is a key milestone in our plan to create a better-connected region that works for all. By setting out our plans to submit to government, we are taking a major step forward towards the biggest infrastructure project West Yorkshire has seen since the development of the motorways six decades ago. 

“This will be transformational for the North, helping our communities to thrive and our economy to flourish – benefitting generations to come with greater opportunity and prosperity.   

“We know that mass transit systems have successfully helped to regenerate areas right across the country by boosting connectivity, opportunity and prosperity – and we will work tirelessly to make sure that happens here in West Yorkshire.” 

The Combined Authority will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that future phases of a mass transit network reach Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale, ensuring no part of West Yorkshire is left behind.  

The submission of the Combined Authority’s “strategic outline case” document to the Department for Transport is set to be approved by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on March 14. The document will then be sent by the Mayor to the government for approval to continue with the development of the scheme.

The project will be subject to a full business case and approvals process.

It will also work on a £1 million mass transit development fund to be set aside to support the Dewsbury Line Development Project, which will look into how to get mass transit to connect Kirklees with Leeds.

Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Mass transit will transform transport across our city and the wider region, helping to boost our economy and bringing our communities within easier reach of jobs and leisure opportunities.

“This is an important step forward in delivering mass transit, but there is still much to do and we are committed to working with the Combined Authority and our partners so this can be achieved for the benefit of people across West Yorkshire.”

The agenda for next Thursday’s meeting can be read here. The meeting will be held Committee Room 1, Wellington House, 40-50 Wellington Street, Leeds from 10am.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. Yet again a huge void around wortley/farnley, an area already poorly served by public transport. Why run trams along existing train routes where much of the demand is already met? Surely trams are ideal to provide better transport infrastructure for those areas not served by existing routes?!

  2. What an absolute waste of public money. It would be more effective to:

    1. Upgrade the existing railway lines between Bradford and Leeds to support longer and more frequent trains.

    2. Increase the frequency of bus service 72 back to its pre-Covid level of every 7-8 minutes.

  3. The bike lanes were such a success (ha ha) Now a proposed tram line makes you wonder what’s next…..maybe a bridle way for our many horse riders wanting to go into Leeds city center for a bale of hay? Just improve the bus services. Simples!!!

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